Connecticut western news., 1887-03-16
A DOOR AJAR.

It was all over; past and done with forever; not . hope remained. Inez Cameron had pluckcd them one by one from his heart in her cool, stately, grace. full way, half m hour before, when she declined his hand and offered him her friendship, in the dim, sweet-scented glen, which he could sec from the win dow at which he sat.
 Friendship from herl' he muttered savagcly, while burning wrath famed in his dark eyes. "Did she think had been her slave for almost year to be content with that at lasta As true as there is a heaven above me, she allowed mo to think she cared. l was no fool to say such words as l said to-day to her, unless l had been encouraged! You have taught me lesson, my fair faced 1nez. 1stake my hopes of an earthly heaven on no woman's smile hereafter {; and dangle no longer in your train, lovely as you undoubtedly are, and dain- ty and dazziing. doubt if I ever take any fair lady to reign here. When Sis ter Nettie and her host of friends depart in months time, will go roaming once more. No man cares for his home when his heart is as heavy as mine is. g. The shadows gathered and heightened, but Guy Handel sat silent and miserable, trying to crush down the regrets-trying to bury the corpse of his lovc-dream.
 It was bitter to him, this rejection by the girl he had wooed in such princely fashion; whom he, perhaps, had reason to think he could win.
 Life seemed very poor and barren possession to the stalwart young owner of that fine old homestead, while sum- mer twilight gathered its soft drapcrics about him, and still he forgot that it was time to dress for dinner, and his sister and friends would wonder where he fingered when they came down presently.
 Suddenly low, sweet, soothing melody stole to him there--the air of a tender old ballad, played lowly, by some dainty fingers.
 Somehow the music soothel the pain in his heart, comforted him in strang gc manner, as though the white hands that toyed with the keyes had left a tende, touch on his forehead.
 'Iwonder who is p.ayinga" he thought. Whoever it is, I hope she will con tinue. I wish she would sing"
 | As if his wish had been heard voice took up the words of the old song, and sent them to hlm sweetly where he sat sad, tender, yearning words which made his eyes grow dim as he listened.
 II wonder who she is2 I do not recognize the voice." he said to himself, and then, rising, he quietly crossed te the door, which was ajsr and looked into the drawing-room.
 In the twilight he saw slight girlist figure at the piano, clad in pale amber The face was turned from him, but he knew by the slim willowy figure, the masses of rich auburn hair, that it was Inez Cameron's lame cousin, Hilda Dal las
 "How sad the girls voice isl" ht thought. "How intensely sad Yet she has always seemed bright and cheer. full when noticed her. l fear I rarely did notice her, poor afflicted childT
 Just then the drawing-room doc, opened and Inez Cameron entered.
 Guy watched her with passionate adoration and bitter regret in his eyes a she went and stood near her cousin.
 ''Don't sing that doleful thing, Hilda," she said in her slow tones O. silver. 'Even though you may be foo enough to love man who doesn't care at all for you, there is no need for you t. sing that forlorn ballad with your hear in your voice."
 The music had crashed into discord then stopped.
 The girl on the piano stool wheeled about so that Guy saw her face; ant from his heart he pitied Hilda Dalla when he saw her pained eyes and color less face.
 Ay, and something which was no love stirred his heart for the fair blue-eye' beauty who stood serenely there, her lii curling jist little, her blue and goldcl draperies falling about her in such grace ful folds.
 "What do you meant" questioned tn lame girl in quick voice of pain. C don't love anybody; T."
 'sBahr' cut in tho blondes silver tones. "You love Mr. Guy Handel, an I have known it for long time He cares nothing at all for you } he scarcely sees you; to-da he asked me to become his wife. Nov ' perhaps, you realize what little sim pleton you are."
 The auburn head was lowered sue denly, and two white little hands wei 3 flung over Hilda's colorless face. l moment after, and Guy caught the soun l of quick sobblng, mingled with the 10 ripple of laughter from Inez. l "Oh, Ldidn't accept him." pursue , the futc-like tones of the woman he hs
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